Building the foundation for autonomous warfare. During an operational... visit to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan observed unmanned systems deployed in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere missions. Their deployment also marks the first step toward developing a SOUTHCOM Autonomous Warfare Command (SAWC) training and mission-support site at NSGB, where teams can train and integrate autonomous capabilities, support operational requirements, and apply operational lessons to training and capability development. The SAWC integrates people, autonomous and unmanned systems, data, communications, and other capabilities around supported-command requirements to create decision and operational advantage. #JTFWHEM #UnmannedSystems #DroneWarfare #DroneDominance #AutonomousSystems Department of War 🇺🇸 Secretary of War Pete Hegsethshow more

Unmatched Airpower. Extensive Reach. U.S. military aerial forces in... the Caribbean are poised to counter narco-terrorism and malign actors, safeguarding both our homeland and the Western Hemisphere. The 346th Air Expeditionary Wing enables Marine, Navy, and Air Force assets to operate hand-in-hand in the Caribbean, enhancing command and control while broadening operational reach. U.S. military forces are deployed to the #SOUTHCOM area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, Department of War 🇺🇸-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland. #JTFWHEM 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit U.S. Marines U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South Secretary of War Pete Hegseth U.S. Navy USNAVSO_4THFLT Air Forces Southern U.S. Air Forceshow more

Leveraging the space domain to disrupt narco-terrorist networks: "We... want to impose total systemic friction on those networks. And I believe our space capabilities will enable that." - #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan during opening remarks at the Space Conference of the Americas on April 28. U.S. Space Command Department of War 🇺🇸 United States Space Forceshow more

“Incredible levels of professionalism and precision.” During testimony before... the Senate Armed Services Committee, #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan thanked Joint Task Force Southern Spear for their critical role in leading Department of War 🇺🇸 efforts against drug cartels and terrorist networks in Latin America and the Caribbean. 22nd MEUshow more

Demonstrating readiness and lethality: U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines... forces conducted training, including a live-fire exercise with naval weapons systems, in the Caribbean Sea. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the #SOUTHCOM mission, Department of War 🇺🇸-directed operations, and President Donald J. Trump priorities. USNAVSO_4THFLT U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Southshow more

#SOUTHCOM was honored to host Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime... Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar today. The prime minister met with SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and senior command leaders to discuss collaborative efforts to combat Designated Terrorist Organizations in the region and ongoing initiatives to strengthen the defense partnership between both nations. The U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago maintain a close defense partnership and commitment to Caribbean security. Department of War 🇺🇸 Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairsshow more

Watch as Firefighters with El Servicio de Salvamento y... Extinción de Incendios del Aeropuerto Internacional Panamá Pacífico receive an orientation tour of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo. Multinational defense and security forces are training together during the Panamanian-hosted PANAMAX exercise. Held in Panama and the U.S., the exercise is strengthening the collective capability of regional forces to safeguard the Panama Canal and maintain security and stability in the Western Hemisphere. #PeaceThroughStrength #SOUTHCOM Department of War 🇺🇸 Secretary of War Pete Hegseth The Joint Staff 🇺🇸 USAWHC U.S. Embassy Panama Ministerio de Seguridad Pública de Panamáshow more

On Feb. 5, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Department of War 🇺🇸 #OpSouthernSpearshow more

According to a release from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM),... at the direction of SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) interdicted a vessel in the Eastern Pacific operating as a refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations for the Los Choneros designated terrorist organization. The individuals on board were apprehended and turned over to the Ecuadorian authorities and the vessel and its attached support vessels were destroyed.show more

On Aug. 28, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in international waters of the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel, previously identified and targeted under Department of the Treasury sanctions, was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. U.S. Marines and Sailors, launched from USS San Antonio (LPD 17), interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident. Individuals removed from the vessel were safely escorted to Ecuador. Once cleared, U.S. forces sank the vessel. This interdiction cuts off a critical node in the traffickers' logistics chain and advances the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM to dismantle narco-terrorist networks. The Department of War 🇺🇸 and the A3C remain unwavering in their mission to defeat narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere and defend our homeland. "Today's operation is a stark example of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition's power to dismantle the sophisticated, clandestine narco-terrorist tactics and capabilities that have enabled the trafficking of dangerous drugs destined for American communities. Working together with our Ecuadorian partners, our coalition dealt a decisive blow to a narco-terrorist operation responsible for moving significant amounts of drugs through the region. Together with our regional partners, we are committed to defeating narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere." - #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan #A3C #JTFWHEM Secretary of War Pete Hegseth U.S. Marines U.S. Navy US Embassy Ecuador Ministerio de Defensa Nacional del Ecuador 24th Marine Expeditionary Unitshow more

The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) is on the... offensive: #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan departs Colombia today following a pivotal multi-day visit spanning from Bogota to the front lines of Tumaco and San Lorenzo. "The dedication of the Colombian forces we stood with this week is unmatched. By forging a unified front, we will disrupt narco-terrorist operations, dismantle their leadership, and eliminate their violent networks that threaten our shared security and sovereignty. The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere is moving forward with unprecedented speed and resolve." — Gen. Francis L. Donovan Mindefensa Fuerzas Militares de Colombia US Embassy Bogota Department of War 🇺🇸 Juan Pablo Segura USA en Españolshow more

On Sept. 16, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM, Joint... Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel's involvement with the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals removed from the vessel have been transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. After clearing the vessel and disembarking the crew, U.S. forces sank it. JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. "Alongside our Ecuadorian partners, we are relentlessly pursuing narco-terrorists who prey on our citizens, undermine hemispheric security, and leave death and suffering in their wake. This deliberate, lawful, and precise operation saves lives and makes our citizens—from Ecuador to the United States—safer." - SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan #A3C #JTFWHEM Department of War 🇺🇸 Secretary of War Pete Hegseth U.S. Marines U.S. Navy US Embassy Ecuador Ministerio de Defensa Nacional del Ecuador 24th Marine Expeditionary Unitshow more

For the first time during an operational hurricane mission,... NOAA and Black Swift Technologies demonstrated simultaneous dual-altitude drone flight capability, the latest feat in the use of small uncrewed aircraft systems to collect data in hurricanes:show more

German 🇩🇪 defence technology company ARX Robotics is building... the next generation of autonomous unmanned ground vehicles with AI-enabled systems that can support military operations with logistics, reconnaissance, casualty evacuation and payload transportshow more

On October 27, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM, Joint... Task Force Western Hemisphere executed a lethal, kinetic strike on a go-fast vessel operating along established narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific. Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel's active involvement in narco-trafficking. The operation killed five narco-terrorists. Department of War 🇺🇸 Secretary of War Pete Hegsethshow more

🚨🇺🇦🤖 Ukraine is developing SPECTR, an AI-powered system designed... to analyze battlefield data and support military operational planning. The platform is being built by A1, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s artificial intelligence center, and its solutions are already being tested by several combat units. SPECTR will analyze information, identify patterns, generate recommendations for operational planning and military processes, and automate routine headquarters work. A1 says Ukraine possesses a unique archive of modern warfare data that can now be turned into a battlefield advantage. According to A1 chief Danylo Tsvok, the goal is effectively to create an “operating system for warfare” that helps commanders evaluate possible courses of action and anticipate an opponent’s likely moves. 🔥 A1 was established in March with British support as part of Ukraine’s push toward an AI-driven military. The broader objective goes beyond SPECTR itself: faster data-based decision-making, greater integration of AI into military systems, and less bureaucracy across the armed forces.show more

According to a release from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM),... at the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander General Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a strike on a vessel operated by a designated terrorist organization traveling in known trafficking routes.show more

More mission miles than the circumference of the Earth.... Anduril's autonomous undersea vehicles have accumulated over 40,100km and 6350hrs of mission time. There's no substitute for live ops. Only by proving, breaking, and hardening our systems in real operational conditions can we deliver technology that performs reliably when it matters most.show more

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth “Our senior service colleges... must cease producing theorists whose very first experience integrating the strategic, operational, and tactical realms occurs when they step into a theater of war.”show more

Always ready: The U.S. Marines and Sailors with Littoral... Combat Force-24 continually demonstrate their readiness and elite warfighting skills while deployed to the #SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. LCF-24 is supporting #OpSouthernSpear, Department of War 🇺🇸-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland through continuous presence. U.S. Navy USNAVSO_4THFLT U.S. Marines U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Secretary of War Pete Hegsethshow more

ANDURIL GHOST-X PARTNERSHIP We continue to seek out emerging... technology to enhance our operational capabilities and better serve our community. Recently, we hosted a live demonstration of the Ghost-X, an advanced unmanned aircraft system (UAS) designed to expand operational capabilities. This man-portable, autonomous, expeditionary platform allows, extended range and multi -payload adaptability for complex environments. Developed as a dual-use and modular UAS platform, we are exploring the opportunity to adapt this technology for public safety use in partnership with Anduril Industries . Training with this aircraft is scheduled to begin next month. As shown in the video, the aircraft is ruggedized and weather resistant, built to enhance situational awareness and mission flexibility in the challenging conditions we encounter. Stay tuned as we continue to evaluate and improve safety, efficiency, and response capabilities. Contact: Captain Shawn Millerick, Public Information Officer [email protected]show more